Vertical drop trimmer saws

ABSTRACT

A trimmer saw apparatus having a plurality of independently operable saws mounted on a frame for generally vertical movement and being selectively operable either automatically or manually. The trimmer saws usually are spaced 2 feet apart but can be adapted to cut lumber to standard or non-standard lengths.

United States Patent 1151 3,682,209 Brown, Jr. et al. 14 1 Aug. 8, 1972 {541 VERTICAL DROP TRIMMER SAWS 1,894,415 1/1933 Onstad ..l43/41 B 1,236,228 8/1917 St. Louis et a1. ..143/41 R [72] l mum Z; 2,091,647 8/1937 Nicholson................l43/41 B g 1,062,175 5/1913 Marten et al ..143/49 F 1,977,971 10/1934 Payzant et a] 143/49 R [73] Assignee: Frlck Company, Waynesboro, Pa. 378,796 2/1888 Linderman ..l43/49 R [22] Filed: Sept 1970 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz [Zl] Appl. No.: 71,650 Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney-A. Yates Dowell and A. Yates Dowel], Jr.

[52] US. Cl. ..143/4l C, 83/433, 143/41 R, A3311 143/49 G [57 v 51 Int. 01. .3271) 5/02 A mmmer Saw apparatus havms a P y of Inde- {58] Field of swell ..143/41 R, 41 B, 41 c, 46 E, W P, saws "muted a frame, 143/46 49 R 49 G; 83/433 481 432 563 generally vertlcal movement and being selectively operable either automatically or manually. The trimmer saws usually are spaced 2 feet apart but can [56] References Cited be adapted to cut lumber to standard or non-standard UNITED STATES PATENTS lengths- 2,714,407 8/1955 Pearson 143/41 8 14 China, 22 Drawing Figures INVENTOM W/lL/AM f. JKOWMI WILL MM C. 01/; 701V PATENTEDAur, a 1912 SHEU UEUF 10 PATENIEDnus 8 I972 SHEEI 0U 0F 10 I NV ENTORS W/u/AM aawmv WILL/AM C. DUFTON ATTORN EY PATENTED HH m 3.682.209 sum um 10 PATENTEDAus a ma sum as or 10 S J m z N J 1 a WWW MM M. QR ms Q 0 w NY \N m I A V A 0 o o o o o %h M M M A M 1A\ bh\ 9 QM U M M Z a QQQ w W m 4 VERTICAL DROP TRIMMER SAWS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to sawing equipment of various kinds and relates particularly to trimmer saw apparatus mounted on a frame for generally vertical movement. The saws are controlled either automatically or manually to cut lumber or other material in predetermined lengths and normally trim the lumber in 8, l0, 12, I4 and 16 foot lengths, although provision has been made to trim the lumber in 9, ll, l3, l and I7 foot lengths.

2. Description of the Prior Art I-Ieretofore many efforts have been made to provide trimmer saws having a plurality of spaced cutting blades which were independently operable so that boards could be trimmed to predetermined lengths. Most of these prior art structures have included saw blades mounted on a pivoted arm and having means for swinging the arm and saw blade about the pivot to interpose the blade in the path of movement of lumber along the saw bed. These pivotally mounted arm structures have not been satisfactory due to the pivoting action of the arms which has caused a substantial amount of saw chatter and has affected both the straightness and the width of the saw cut. Most of these prior art structures have been limited to conventional lengths of lumber, such as 8, I0, l2, l4 and l6 feet with no provision being made for boards of odd lengths. Most of these structures have required two or more operators for positioning the boards or other pieces of lumber on the conveyors and for selectively operating the mechanisms by which the saw blades are moved into operative and inoperative positions. Also these prior art devices have been expensive to manufacture and maintain and have been difficult to retain in alignment to provide a true trimming cut.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The present invention is an apparatus having a plurality of trimmer saws each of which is moved into and out of cutting position in a generally vertical plane by fluid under pressure and the position of such saws can be controlled either manually or automatically. Apparatus is provided for trimming the boards or other lumber in standard lengths of 8, 10, 12, I4 and [6 feet, as well as for trimming boards in odd lengths of 9, ll, l3, l5 and I7 feet. Also means is provided so that random length boards will be automatically cut to the longest available standard length. A control console or panel is provided having a plurality of switches each of which controls the position of an independent saw so that the sawyer can operate a plurality of saws to selectively cut a board to a desired length or to remove one or more sections of a board having defects therein.

It is an object of the invention to provide a trimmer saw assembly including a plurality of independently operable saws which can be selectively moved into and out of cutting position along guides disposed in a substantially vertical plane for cutting lumber into standard lengths or for cutting lumber in odd lengths with the position of the saws being controlled either manually or automatically.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trimmer saw assembly which can be operated to trim BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a vertical drop trimmer saw machine constructed in ac- 0 cordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation thereof.

FIGS. 3 and 3a are sections on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 9-9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 10-10 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 11-11 of FIG. 3a.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation illustrating a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on the line 15-15 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a section on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is an electrical wiring diagram.

FIGS. 18 through 21 are schematic views illustrating difi'erent positions of the saws under different operating conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With continued reference to the drawings, a frame 30 is provided having a pair of generally upright side members 32 which converge at their upper ends and are connected together by an intermediate portion 33. The side members 32 on opposite sides of the machine are connected by a pair of spaced generally parallel crossheads 34 and if desired such side members can be connected by braces 35.

A saw bed or table 36 is located between the side members 32 and below the crossheads 34 and such table includes a frame 37 mounted on a plurality of upright posts 38. The table frame 37 is inclined upwardly from front to rear of the machine. At the rear of the frame 37 a plurality of pillow blocks 40 are provided in which a shalt 41 is rotatably mounted.

In order to move boards or lumber to be trimmed along the table 36, a plurality of hubs 42 are keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft 41 and each of such hubs is adjustably connected to a sprocket 43 which engages and drives a chain conveyor 44. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the sprocket 43 is adjustably mounted on the hubs 42 by means of a plurality of slots 45 extending through the sprocket and adapted to receive bolts or studs 46 fixed to the hubs 42, nuts 47 being provided to clamp each sprocket to its associated hub in adjusted position. The table 36 is provided with a recessed channel 48 for each of the chain conveyors 44 and such channels are recessed a distance such that the top of the chain is even with or below the upper surface of the bed. Each of the chains has a plurality of equally spaced upstanding lugs 49 which project upwardly above the surface of the table and engage one edge of a board or other piece of lumber to move such board across the table. A guideway or channel 50 is mounted on the front of the table frame 39 to guide the chain conveyors into the recessed channels 48. if desired the guideways 50 could be replaced by idler sprockets.

ln order to rotate the shaft 41 and drive the chain conveyors, a power plant 51, which could be an electric motor, internal combustion engine or fluid motor, is provided and such power plant is drivingly connected by a belt, pulley, chain or the like 52 to a transmission 53 which may have either a fixed or variable output. The transmission 53 has a drive wheel 54 connected by a belt, chain or the like to a driven wheel 56 fixed to the shaft 41.

Lumber which has been cut to a predetermined width and thickness is placed one board at a time on the table 36 either manually or by means of an automatic unscrambler and such lumber is moved by the chain conveyors up the incline of the table 36.

In the modification shown in FIGS. l-11, the boards are moved lengthwise toward one end of the table until such boards abut a bumper 57 and such bumper functions as a base reference point.

In order to trim the ends of the board so that they are square and the length of the board is a predetermined distance, a plurality of circular saws 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 are mounted on the crossheads 37 in a manner to be extended and retracted into and out of position for sawing the boards as the chain conveyors 44 move the boards across the table 36. As illustrated, the base or zero" saw 60 is located adjacent to one end of the crossheads 34 and the saw assemblies 61-65 are located along the length of the crossheads at spaced intervals. Normally the spacings between the base saw assembly 60 and the saw assemblies 61-65 are standard distances of 8, l0, l2, l4 and l6 feet.

With reference to FlGS. -8, each of the saw assemblies 60-65 includes a fixed frame 71 having side members 72 connected by a top plate 73 at one end and a pair of connecting plates 74 at the opposite end. The side members 72 are welded or otherwise attached to bridges 75 extending from one of the crossheads 34 to the other. The bridges 75 are interconnected by outwardly extending flanges 76 each of which is provided with at least one elongated slot 77. Fastening members 78, such as bolts or the like, extend through the slots 77 into the crossheads 34 so that when such fastening members are tightened the frame 71 will be in fixed position. However, such frames can be adjusted lengthwise of the crossheads by means of the slots 77.

Along the inner surface of each of the side members 72 is a recessed guideway 79 facing each other and adapted to slidably receive an elongated guide member 80 located at opposite sides of a body 81. A mounting plate 82 is welded or otherwise attached to the lower end of the body 81 and a saw power plant 83 is connected to such mounting plate in any desired manner, as by fasteners 84. The saw power plant includes a drive shaft 85 on which a circular saw blade 86 having cutting teeth 87 is fixed in any conventional manner.

Each of the bodies 81 are adapted to be raised and lowered so that the saw blades 86 are out of engagement with the boards on the table 36 or are interposed in the path of travel of such boards. As illustrated, the means for raising each of the bodies 81 includes a fluid cylinder 88 fixed to the mounting plate 82 and having a piston rod 89 connected to the body 81. The fluid cylinder can be operated either pneumatically or hydraulically and can be either single or double acting. If the cylinder is single acting, the fluid under pressure will raise the body 81 and by relieving the fluid under pressure, the body will be lowered by gravity.

The body 81 is provided with a boss or safety limit 90 extending outwardly from one side and generally in alignment with a stop 91 carried by one of the connecting plates 74. When the flow of fluid to the cylinder 88 is interrupted, the body will be lowered until the boss 90 engages the stop 91 and prevents any further lowering movement of the body. As illustrated the center of gravity 92 of the saw power plant and blade is located along the vertical axis of the body 81.

With reference to FIG. 10, the saw assemblies 60-65 are operated in a manner that will be described later so that the base saw 60 and the l6 foot saw 65 normally are in the down position. However, the intermediate saw assemblies 61-64 can be selectively lowered and in order to return the intermediate saws to an inoperative position after a board has been cut, a hub 94 is mounted on the shaft 41 and a cam plate 95 is adjustably mounted on such hub. This is done by providing a plurality of slots 96 extending through the cam plate 95 and such slots are adapted to receive bolts or studs 97 by means of which the cam plate can be secured in fixed adjusted position relative to the hub. The cam plate has an outwardly extending peripheral cam 98 adapted to engage a cam follower 99 carried by a limit switch 100 once each rotation of the shaft 41. In order to make certain that the cam plate 95 is in timed relation with the chain conveyors 44, the periphery of the cam plate and cam is exactly as long as the distance between the lugs 49 and by regulating the position of the cam plate relative to the hub 94, cancellation of the saw assemblies will occur at substantially the same point for every board.

After the lumber has been trimmed, the boards are discharged from the table 36 for further processing including dressing the boards to finished size as well as treating the boards with preservative. However, the scraps of lumber which have been severed from the board by the saw assemblies 60-65 are not discharged from the opposite side of the table 36, but instead as soon as the board has been trimmed to appropriate size, the scraps are discharged into a trough 101 located below the saw assemblies 60-65. The trough includes a pair of inclined converging sides spaced apart at their lower edges.

ln order to discharge scraps of lumber from the trough 101, a chain conveyor 102 is located along the bottom of the trough 101 and such chain conveyor includes a plurality of spaced upstanding lugs 103 adapted to engage the scraps of lumber within the trough 101. The chain conveyor 102 has an upper run slidably mounted in a channel member 104 and a lower run slidably carried in a channel member 105. Both of such channel members extend lengthwise of the table 36 and the trough 101. If desired the lugs 103 on the chain conveyor 102 can be of the collapsible type so that the lugs will be upstanding while traversing the upper run of the conveyor but which can be collapsed adjacent to the conveyor 102 when traversing the lower run.

The chain conveyor 102 is driven in any desired manner as by a power plant 106, and such power plant is connected by a belt, chain or the like 107 to drive a transmission 108 such as a gear reduction or the like. The transmission 108 has an output shaft 109joumaled in bearings 110 on opposite sides of the chain conveyor 102. A drive sprocket 111 is mounted on the shaft 109 intermediate the bearings 110 and such sprocket receives and drives the chain conveyor 102. At the opposite end of the frame 30 an idler sprocket 112 rotatably receives the chain conveyor 102 and such idler sprocket is mounted on a shaft 113 freely rotatably mounted in bearings 114 mounted on a platform 115 connected to the frame 30. Movement of the chain conveyor 102 will remove scrap material from the trough 101 and discharge such material from one end of the frame.

With reference to FIG. 11, if desired a plurality of limit switches 118, 119, 120, 121, and 122 may be mounted below the table 36 and each of such switches may have an operating arm 123 projecting upwardly through an opening 124 in such table and disposed in the path of movement of lumber being moved by the chain conveyors 44. The limit switches 118-122 are located substantially in alignment with the saw blades 86 of the saw assemblies 61-65, respectively, for a purpose which will be described later.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the table 36 may have a plurality of relatively wide rollers 125 mounted adjacent to the front thereof and between the chain conveyors 44. Each of the rollers 125 is mounted adjacent to one end of a shaft 126 and such shaft is provided with a sprocket or gear 127 adjacent the opposite end. A drive chain 128 (FIG. 16) engages the sprockets 127 in a manner to simultaneously drive all of the rollers 125 in the same direction. if desired, an idler sprocket 129 mounted on an adjustable shaft 130 can be provided between each of the sprockets 127 to take up the slack in the drive chain 128, as well as to make certain that the sprockets 127 are positively engaged by such drive chain.

In order to drive the chain 128, a power plant 134 is located adjacent to one end of the table and such power plant includes an output shaft 135 having a sprocket 136 fixed thereto and such sprocket drives a chain 137 which in turn drives a sprocket 138 mounted on one of the shafts 126. Rotation of one of the shafts causes rotation of the chain 128 and consequently rotation of all of the shafts 126.

The rollers 125 extend upwardly through openings 139 in the table 36 so that when a piece of lumber is placed on the table by the chain conveyors 44 such piece of lumber will engage the rollers 125 and move the lumber lengthwise until it engages the bumper 57 while simultaneously the lumber is being carried up the incline of the table by the lugs 49 of the chain conveyors. It is noted that the rollers 125 may be generally cylindrical or may be tapered from front to rear so that the leading edge of the rollers could be located in alignment with or below the upper surface of the table 36 while the rear edge could be located above the upper surface of such table. Also it is contemplated that the axis of the shafts 126 could be disposed at an angle to the plane of the upper surface of the table 36 so that the leading edge of a cylindrical roller would be located in alignment with or below the upper surface, while the rear edge would be disposed above the upper surface of the table.

In some instances it is desirable to cut lumber in odd lengths such as 9, l 1, l3, l5 and 17 feet. In order to do this, a circular saw assembly 140, which is similar in construction to the saw assemblies 60-65, is mounted on the crossheads 34 with a saw blade 141 spaced approximately one foot from the saw blade of the base saw assembly 60. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the saw asembly is spaced to the left of the base circular saw assembly.

When the saw assembly 140 is to be used, the fixed bumper 57 is replaced by a collapsible bumper 142. in order to collapse the bumper 142, such bumper is mounted on a shaft 143 rotatably journaled in bearings 144 carried by an angle member 145 forming part of the table frame 37. A lever 146 is fixed at one end to the shaft 143 and the opposite end of such lever is connected by a pin 147 to one end of a piston rod 148 carried by a fluid cylinder 149 which is swingably connected by a pin 150 to the frame 37. Extension and retraction of the piston rod 148 will cause the bumper 142 to move through an opening 151 in the upper surface of the table 36 to raised or lowered position.

When the base saw assembly 60 is raised, the bumper 142 will be lowered at the same time and the saw assembly 140 will be lowered into operative position. In this position an auxiliary bumper 155 is adapted to be raised so that the boards on the table will move into engagement therewith. In order to raise and lower the auxiliary bumper 155, such bumper is mounted on a shaft 156 rotatably journaled in bearings 157 carried by the frame 37. A lever 158 is welded or otherwise attached at one end to the shaft 156 and the opposite end of such lever is connected by a pin 159 to one end of a piston rod 160 carried by a fluid cylinder 161 and such cylinder is swingably connected by a pin 163 to the frame 37. It is noted that if desired the auxiliary bumper 155 could be permanently fixed in upright position on the frame 37.

In order to selectively control the positions of the saw assemblies 60-65 and 140, a console or electrical panel 163 (FIG. 1) can be located in any desired position. As illustrated, the console is located adjacent to the front of the table 36 and such console includes a plurality of switches 164-169 for independently controlling the positions of the saw assemblies 60-65, respectively, a switch for controlling the position of the saw assembly 140, and switches 171 and 172 for controlling no trim and slash operations in a manner to be described later.

With reference to FIG. 17, a wiring diagram is illustrated in which the electrical control of the saw assemblies 60-65 and 140 is divided into two separate and independent systems. One system automatically measures the length of a piece of lumber and selects a saw for cutting the longest standard length which is possible for the particular piece of lumber. The other system includes a plurality of manually operated selection buttons to operate selected saws. The second system can be operated entirely manually so that each saw assembly has a first switch to lower the saw and a second switch to raise such saw, or such second system can be operated semi-automatically so that one or more saws are operated selectively by independent switches but such switches will be automatically canceled after a particular piece of lumber has been cut.

in the operation of the automatic system, a pair of electrical lines L1 and L2 supply electrical energy to the apparatus. An electrical conduit 175 is connected to the power line L1 and a power switch 176 is disposed in such conduit. Normally the base saw assembly 60 and the l6 foot saw assembly 65 are in lowered position while the saw assemblies 61-64 and the saw assembly 140 are in raised position, so that a board in excess of 16 feet in length will be trimmed to l6 feet. When a piece of lumber is being moved across the upper surface of the table 36 by the chain conveyors 44, such board will engage all of the limit switches 118-122 which are connected in series with each other and such switches will be depressed.

When the switch 118 in front of the 16 foot saw 65 is depressed, electrical energy will flow through a conduit 177 and energize a relay 178 to open a normally closed contact 179 to interrupt the flow of electrical energy through the conduit 177 and establish the flow of electrical energy through a ground line 180 and simultaneously will establish the flow of energy through a conduit 181 to the power line L2. When the switch 118 is released by the passage of the board, the 16 foot saw assembly 65 will continue in operation since the flow of electrical energy has been established through the ground line 180 which is connected to the power line L2.

Also, as an example, if a board is at least feet but less than 12 feet in length, the 12 foot limit switch 120 will remain closed, however, the IQ foot switch 121 will be opened. Electrical energy will flow along the conduit 175 through the limit switches 118, 119 and 120 and then through a conduit 182 to a relay 183 which will open a normally closed switch 184 in the conduits 177 and a normally closed switch 185 in the ground line 180. This establishes a flow of electrical energy through the conduit 177 through the relay 183 and along the ground line 180 to the power line to complete a circuit. Simultaneously operation of the relay 183 will close a normally open switch 186 in a conduit 187 and permit electrical energy to flow to a solenoid operated valve 188. Operation of the valve 188 will operate the corresponding fluid cylinder 88 to lower the 10 foot saw assembly 62 to cut the board to a l0 foot length. The ID foot saw assembly 62 will remain in lowered position until another limit switch on the table 36 is energized.

As an example, if the next board is in excess of 16 feet, the limit switch 118 again will be operated to operate the relay 178 and open the switch 179 which will interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the relay 183 and open the switch 186. The opening of the switch 186 will operate the cylinder 88 and raise the l0 foot saw assembly to inoperative position. The same operation as the l0 foot saw assembly 62 is repeated for each of the 8, l2, and I4 foot saw assemblies.

Periodically a piece of lumber having a defective portion will be delivered to the trimmer saw assembly and it is desirable to remove the defective portion of the board. In order to provide selective control of the individual saws, the manually operated system is provided having an electrical conduit 192 connected to the power line L1 and one side of each of the push button switches 164-169 is connected to the conduit 192 by a conduit 193. The opposite side of each of the push button switches is connected by a conduit 194 to a relay 195 which will close a normally open contact 196 to establish a flow of electrical energy to the relay 195 when the push button has been released. Simultaneously the relay 195 will close a nonnally open contact 197 in the conduit 187 to energize the corresponding solenoid operated valve 188 which controls the fluid cylinders 88 which in turn control the raising and lowering of the saw assemblies 60-65.

As an example, if a piece of lumber is defective between the 10 and 12 foot saw assemblies, the push buttons 166 and 167 both will be depressed to energize the corresponding relay 195 of each push button as well as the corresponding solenoid operated valve 188 of each saw assembly. Preferably cancellation switches 198-203 are provided for the push button switches 164-169, respectively, to interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the push button switches so that the corresponding saw assemblies will return to their normal position.

Usually the push button switches 164-169 are operated for special conditions which prevail on an individual board and therefore it is desirable that the push button switches be automatically canceled after the board has been cut. This is done by inserting the limit or line switch 100 in the conduit 192. The cam follower 99 is mounted on the line switch 100 and such cam follower is adapted to be engaged by the cam 98 on the cam plate at the time that the rear edge of the board is located substantially along the center line of the saw blade. In this position as soon as the board has been cut, the cam 98 will engage the cam follower 99, open the line switch and interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the relay 195 to de-energize the same.

Under certain conditions, it is desirable to override the automatic cancellation of the push button switches 164-169, such as when it is desired to cut the board to a length of 12 feet without having to press the [2 foot push button 167 for each board. In order to do this a bypass line 205 is provided which bridges the line switch 100 and such bypass line is provided with a manually operated switch 206. When the switch 206 is open, the line switch 100 will automatically cancel all of the push button switches 164-169. However, when the switch 206 is closed, electrical energy will continue to flow through the conduit 192 regardless of whether the line switch 100 is open or not.

When it is desired to cut an odd length of lumber, such as 9, l I, l3, 15 or 17 feet, the push button switch 170 is depressed to permit electrical energy to flow through a conduit 210 and a conduit 211 to energize a relay 212, close a normally open contact 213 and establish a circuit to the relay 212 after the switch 170 is released. The relay 212 will close a contact 214 and energize a solenoid operated valve 215 and cause the circular saw assembly to be lowered into operative position. Simultaneously when the push button switch 170 is closed, electrical energy will flow through a conduit 216 to the conduit 194 of the base saw assembly 60 and energize the corresponding relay 195, close the contact 197 and operate the valve 188 of the base saw assembly causing such base saw to be raised to inoperative position.

At the same time the relay 212 will close normally open contacts 217 and 218 to energize solenoid operated valves 219 and 220 to lower the collapsible bumper 142 and raise the auxiliary bumper 155. The saw assemblies 61-65 will operate in the same manner, either automatically or manually, as previously described; however, these saws will now be spaced a distance of 9, ll, [3, l and I7 feet respectively from the saw assembly 140.

Under conditions where it is desired to pass a board through the trimmer saw assembly without trimming the board, the push button switch 171 is depressed to permit electrical energy to flow through the conduit 192 to a relay 221. Operation of the relay 221 will close a normally open contact 222 and will open a normally closed contact 223 in the electrical conduit 175. Also the relay 221 will close the contact 197 of the base saw assembly 60 and the l6 foot saw assembly 65 so that all saw blades will be raised to inoperative position. As soon as the untrimmed board has been discharged from the machine, the line switch 100 will be operated to interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the relay 221 and de-energize the same so that the base saw assembly 60 and the 16 foot saw assembly 65 will return to the lower operative positions.

It for some reason the operator chooses to lower all saws to operative position simultaneously so that the piece of lumber will be cut into a plurality of small pieces, the slash push button switch 172 is depressed to permit electrical energy to flow to a relay 224 to establish a circuit through a normally open contact 225 and to open a normally closed contact 226 in the electrical conduit 175 of the automatic system. Simultaneously the normally open contacts 197 of the saw assemblies 61-64 will be closed to operate the solenoid operated valves 188 of the 8, 10, 12, and 14 foot saws so that all of the saws will be lowered to operative position and the board will be slashed into a plurality of relatively small pieces. As soon as the board has been cut, the line switch 100 will be operated to de-energize the relay 224 and return the saws to normal positions.

If desired a plurality of additional saw assemblies can be provided between the 8 foot saw and the base saw, as illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 18-21 to cut the entire board into 2-lengths.

It will be apparent from the above that since the center of gravity 92 of the saw power plant is located along the vertical axis of the body 81, movement of the saw blade 86 into cutting position will be in a straight vertical plane and torque on the saw blade 86 and the shaft 85 will be reduced to a minimum to eliminate any chatter during the cutting operation. Vertical movement of the saw blade in a plane normal to the direction of movement of the lumber will insure that the end of the lumber is cut at right angles to the edges thereof Also it will be apparent that the lumber can be cut in standard lengths of 8, l0, l2, l4 and 16 feet, as well as lengths of 9, ll, l3, l5 and 17 feet. The boards or lumber usually are cut to a predetermined length automatically; however, the saw assemblies can be controlled individually if desired.

We claim 1. A vertical drop trimmer saw'apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a base saw assembly mounted adjacent to one end of said main frame, a plurality of equally spaced saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and spaced a predetermined distance from said base saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame mounted on said main frame, a body slidably mounted on said fixed frame, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, a saw power plant mounted on said body with the center of gravity of the saw power plant being disposed generally along the vertical axis of said body, cutting means carried by said power plant and adapted to be driven thereby, means for controlling said body moving means to selectively raise and lower said saw assemblies out of and into cutting position, a saw table located below said main frame, bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said table, and means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table so that the material will engage the cutting means that are disposed in cutting position and will be cut thereby.

2. The structure of claim 1 including means for automatically moving said saw assemblies into cutting position so that the material will be cut to the longest convenient length.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said automatic moving means includes a plurality of limit switches mounted on said saw table in a position to be engaged by the material thereon, and one of said limit switches being located generally in alignment with each of said cutting means.

4. The structure of claim 1 including means for individually selectively moving said cutting means into cutting position.

5. The structure of claim 4 including means for automatically cancelling the saw assemblies which have been selectively operated.

6. The structure of claim 1 including an auxiliary saw assembly mounted on said main frame in spaced relation to said base saw assembly, and means for automatically raising said base saw assembly to inoperative position when said auxiliary saw assembly is lowered to operative position.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said bumper means includes a first collapsible bumper spaced slightly to one side of said base saw assembly and a second bumper spaced slightly to one side of said auxiliary saw assembly, said first and second bumpers limiting the lateral movement of the material so that the base saw assembly and the auxiliary saw assembly will remove a small portion of the material from one end of the material.

8. The structure of claim 1 including a plurality of rollers mounted on said saw table and adapted to automatically move material laterally against said bumper means.

9. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said conveyor means includes a plurality of upstanding members adapted to engage the material, and means for adjusting said conveyor means so that the upstanding members are substantially in alignment with each other.

10. The structure of claim 1 including a trough mounted on said saw table and located below the upper run of said conveyor means so that scrap material will be discharged into said trough, chain conveyor means disposed lengthwise of said trough, and means for operating said trough chain conveyor means for discharging scrap material from said trough.

11. The structure of claim 1 including means for raising all of said saw assemblies simultaneously to inoperative position so that the material on said saw table will not be cut.

12. The structure of claim 1 including means for operating all of said saw assemblies simultaneously so that the material will be cut into a plurality of relatively small pieces.

13. A trimmer saw apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a first saw assembly mounted on said main frame adjacent to one end thereof, a second saw assembly mounted on said main frame substantially 8 feet from said first saw assembly, third, fourth, fifth and sixth saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and disposed substantially 2 feet apart with the third saw assembly being spaced substantially 2 feet from the second saw assembly, a seventh saw assembly mounted on said main frame adjacent to said first saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame, a body slidably mounted in a generally vertical direction on said fixed frame, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, cutting means mounted on each of said bodies, the cutting means of said seventh saw assembly being spaced substantially one foot from the cutting means of said first saw assembly, means for driving said cutting means, means for automatically and/or selectively controlling the means for moving said body, a saw table located below said main frame, selectively operable bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said saw table, and means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table so that the material will engage the cutting means located in operating position to cut the material.

14. A vertical drop trimmer saw apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a base saw assembly mounted adjacent to one end of said main frame, a plurality of equally spaced saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and spaced a predetermined distance from said base saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame mounted on said main frame, a body slidably mounted on said fixed frame, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, a saw power plant mounted on said body with the center of gravity of the saw power plant being disposed generally along the vertical axis of said body, cutting means carried by said power plant and ada Jted to be driven thereby, means for controlling sat body moving means to selectively raise and lower said saw assemblies out of and into cutting position, a saw table located below said main frame, bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said table, means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table, an auxiliary saw assembly mounted on said main frame in spaced relation to said base saw assembly, said bumper means including a first bumper generally in alignment with said base saw assembly and a second bumper generally in alignment with said auxiliary saw assembly, and means for moving said first bumper out of the path of the material when said base saw assembly is raised.

l I I. i Il 

1. A vertical drop trimmer saw apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a base saw assembly mounted adjacent to one end of said main frame, a plurality of equally spaced saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and spaced a predetermined distance from said base saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame mounted on said main frame, a body slidably mounted on said fixed frAme, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, a saw power plant mounted on said body with the center of gravity of the saw power plant being disposed generally along the vertical axis of said body, cutting means carried by said power plant and adapted to be driven thereby, means for controlling said body moving means to selectively raise and lower said saw assemblies out of and into cutting position, a saw table located below said main frame, bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said table, and means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table so that the material will engage the cutting means that are disposed in cutting position and will be cut thereby.
 2. The structure of claim 1 including means for automatically moving said saw assemblies into cutting position so that the material will be cut to the longest convenient length.
 3. The structure of claim 2 in which said automatic moving means includes a plurality of limit switches mounted on said saw table in a position to be engaged by the material thereon, and one of said limit switches being located generally in alignment with each of said cutting means.
 4. The structure of claim 1 including means for individually selectively moving said cutting means into cutting position.
 5. The structure of claim 4 including means for automatically cancelling the saw assemblies which have been selectively operated.
 6. The structure of claim 1 including an auxiliary saw assembly mounted on said main frame in spaced relation to said base saw assembly, and means for automatically raising said base saw assembly to inoperative position when said auxiliary saw assembly is lowered to operative position.
 7. The structure of claim 6 in which said bumper means includes a first collapsible bumper spaced slightly to one side of said base saw assembly and a second bumper spaced slightly to one side of said auxiliary saw assembly, said first and second bumpers limiting the lateral movement of the material so that the base saw assembly and the auxiliary saw assembly will remove a small portion of the material from one end of the material.
 8. The structure of claim 1 including a plurality of rollers mounted on said saw table and adapted to automatically move material laterally against said bumper means.
 9. The structure of claim 1 in which each of said conveyor means includes a plurality of upstanding members adapted to engage the material, and means for adjusting said conveyor means so that the upstanding members are substantially in alignment with each other.
 10. The structure of claim 1 including a trough mounted on said saw table and located below the upper run of said conveyor means so that scrap material will be discharged into said trough, chain conveyor means disposed lengthwise of said trough, and means for operating said trough chain conveyor means for discharging scrap material from said trough.
 11. The structure of claim 1 including means for raising all of said saw assemblies simultaneously to inoperative position so that the material on said saw table will not be cut.
 12. The structure of claim 1 including means for operating all of said saw assemblies simultaneously so that the material will be cut into a plurality of relatively small pieces.
 13. A trimmer saw apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a first saw assembly mounted on said main frame adjacent to one end thereof, a second saw assembly mounted on said main frame substantially 8 feet from said first saw assembly, third, fourth, fifth and sixth saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and disposed substantially 2 feet apart with the third saw assembly being spaced substantially 2 feet from the second saw assembly, a seventh saw assembly mounted on said main frame adjacent to said first saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame, a body slidably mounted in a generally vertical direction on said fixed frame, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, cutting means mounted on each of said bodies, the cutting means of said seventh saw assembly being spaced substantially one foot from the cutting means of said first saw assembly, means for driving said cutting means, means for automatically and/or selectively controlling the means for moving said body, a saw table located below said main frame, selectively operable bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said saw table, and means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table so that the material will engage the cutting means located in operating position to cut the material.
 14. A vertical drop trimmer saw apparatus for cutting material to predetermined or selected lengths comprising a main frame, a base saw assembly mounted adjacent to one end of said main frame, a plurality of equally spaced saw assemblies mounted on said main frame and spaced a predetermined distance from said base saw assembly, each of said saw assemblies including a generally vertically disposed fixed frame mounted on said main frame, a body slidably mounted on said fixed frame, means for moving said body relative to said fixed frame, a saw power plant mounted on said body with the center of gravity of the saw power plant being disposed generally along the vertical axis of said body, cutting means carried by said power plant and adapted to be driven thereby, means for controlling said body moving means to selectively raise and lower said saw assemblies out of and into cutting position, a saw table located below said main frame, bumper means on said saw table to limit lateral movement of material thereon, a plurality of conveyor means mounted on said table, means for driving said conveyor means simultaneously to move material along said table, an auxiliary saw assembly mounted on said main frame in spaced relation to said base saw assembly, said bumper means including a first bumper generally in alignment with said base saw assembly and a second bumper generally in alignment with said auxiliary saw assembly, and means for moving said first bumper out of the path of the material when said base saw assembly is raised. 